Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Brown.
Hi Summer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. I received my B.F.A. at Howard University in Drawing and Painting and my M.F.A. at The University of the Arts in Museum Exhibition and Design. Later, I worked in museums and design firms and now I teach in higher education full-time at my alma mater, Howard University. I started my own business, Art with Summer during the pandemic. I offer online and in person art classes, sip & paints and commissioned work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a pretty smooth road. The biggest thing with owning your own business is marketing yourself and keeping yourself relevant to the masses.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I enjoy creating art that is centered around black and brown women. We go through a lot, and I like to celebrate both the beauty and challenges of being a Black woman. My current color palette is generally made up of red, black white, gold, and pops of color. The red is to symbol the blood we bleed and strength. The black and gold symbolizes the culture. The pop of color is symbolic that we come in all shades and colors. I’m most proud of how my work is perceived when it is exhibited. I get a lot of positive feedback. It’s hard to say what sets me aside from others besides the fact that I produce my work from my own personal experiences which may differ from what others may be experiencing.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice in finding mentorship is being active in different art organizations within your community. Continue to network with people everywhere you go. Put yourself in situations where you will meet other creatives. This all has worked for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: artwithsummer.org and https://zinkydo.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: artwithsummer_ and sum_bro
